Pump



Aug; 15, 1933. R s BUTLER 1,922,196

PUMP

I Filed March 17, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 ulvzven L 07" 30567?! JfiuzlerJzworrzgyp'.

Aug. 15, 1933. R s BU L 1,922,196

PUMP

Filed March 17, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 I72 06727507" 120567 25 /S'fizczer R. S. BUTLER Aug. 15, 1933.

PUMP

4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed- March 17, 1932 Int/6722907" 2305670 Jfiuzlerflttorngg-S Patented "Au 15,. 1933 Robert's. Butler, Los Angeles, Califassignor to Nordberg Manufacturing 00., Milwaukee, Wis., a Corporationof Wisconsin Application March 17, 1932. Serial No. 599,487

16 Claims- (Cl. 1l)3---148) My invention relates to an improvementinpumps and has for one purpose the provision of a valveless pump. Oneexemplification of my invention is the provision of a valveless pump inwhich one or more flexible tubes are employed,

the tubes having awave-like movement imparted, for example, to one wall,whereby individual bodies of material being pumped are trapped betweenopposed walls of the tube or tubes and are moved longitudinally along.the tubes in response to the wave-like movement of the approach andrecession of the opposed sides of the tubes, the waves being true sinewaves, tra lling uni-directionally along the tubes. Anot er object isthe provision of improved actuating means for a pump of the type hereindescribed. Another object is the provision of means for preventingaccess of the material being pumped to the actuatingmechanism. Anotherobject is the provision of an improved flexible tube for use with such apump. Other objects will appear from time to time in the course of thespecification and claims.

I illustrate my invention more or less diagrammatically in theaccompanying drawings, where- Figure l is a longitudinal section;

Figure 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is ure 1;

Figure 4 is a section on the line ure 3;

Figure 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of Figure 3; 35 Figure 6 is adetail of one of the tubes emp y d;

' Figure 7 is a section on ure 6;

Figure'B is an edge view of a securing member or wedge;

Figure 9 is a plan view of the member shown in Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a side view of one of the tubes, showing a variation;

Figure, 11 is a section on the line 11-11 of Figure 10; and

Figure 12 is a similar section through another variation.

Like parts are indicated by like symbols throughout the specificationand drawings.

Referring generally to the drawings, A indicates any suitable inletpassage for the material being pumped, and A any suitable outlet'ordelivery passage. Secured to the passage A I illustrate the doublepassage member A which may a section on the line 3--3 of Figthe line 7-7of Fig- .of each wedge C be secured to the member A as for example bythe bolts A It includes two branches or passages A A terminating forexample in flanges A.

Secured to said flanges A is a main pump structure or housing. Referringfor example to Figure 2 which illustrates the main pump housing insection it may include a central or inner member B shown as having atone side the side or cover plate B secured as by the screws 28 andclosed at top and bottom by partitions l? B re-' 35 spectively havingtherein the lower bearing B and the upper bearing B the purpose forwhich will later appear.

Secured to each side of the central housing B is a side housing memberincluding portions C, C 1w which may be secured together as by the boltsQ and may be'secured to the housing B as by the bolts C penetratingflanges or lugs C Positioned within the outer or side housing so formedare the flexible tubes C As these tubes are identical except for areversal of direction, only one will be described. Each such tubeincludes a side wall C abutting against thewalls or inner faces of themembers C C as shown for example in Figure 2. Each such tube has at itsupper and so lower ends outwardly extending flanges C against which arepositioned securing collars C which are engaged by locking wedges C Thecollars C have inclined faces C opposed to the corresponding inclinedface of the opposed face 8% The wedge C further engages shoulders Ciormed respectively in the members C C and in the opposed outer wall ofthe member B which extends outwardly as shown for example at C C inFigure 1. It will be understood that when the wedges C are driven homethey strongly clamp the tube flanges C between the collars C and theopposed portions of the flanges A of the inlet passage A or againstcorresponding flanges A of the outlet passages A as shown in Figure 1.Any suitable opening may be made in the members C or C to permit be heldin position as by the screw C The wall C of the tube may be reinforcedor stifiened as by the reinforcement C which extends into the flangesC". The opposite or flexible wall of the tubehas no such reinforcementbut is exteriorly provided with a plurality of dove-tails C the purposeof which will later appear.

Rotatably mounted in the bearing sleeves B B is a shaft D which maycarry at its lower end bevel gear D mounted on a drive shaft D It willbe understood that the shaft D may be rotated from any suitable powersource not herein shown. The bottom B of the housing B is downwardlyexpanded as at D to give room for the shaft D and the gear D The shaft Dmay be held in position as by a ball D resting in the seat D in the formof a screwthreaded plug. The ball D takes the vertical thrust of theshaft D and reduces friction. Any suitable bearings D D may be employedfor the shaft D and I illustrate the bearing D as formed integrally withthe bottom portion 28 of the housing B, while the bearing D isassociated with the cover plate B However, it will be understood thatthe driving connection and the mounting of the shafts may be made in avariety of manners.

Mounted for rotation with the shaft D are a plurality of eccentrics-E.These eccentrics are helically arranged or distributed in relation tosaid shaft for apurpose which will later appear and are illustrated asof cylindrical exterior. Surrounding each said eccentric is a stirrup Ehaving flat bearing portions E? opposed to opposite sides of each saideccentric. The size of the stirrup is such that at erably the fit is soclose that there' is no perceptible play between the eccentric and theopposed'faces E Extending in opposite directions from each such stirrupis a pin E The pins E pass through apertures E in the side walls of thechambers and penetrate into the space between said side walls and theflexible tubes above described. Each such pin carries at its end a crosspiece E which may, for example, be screwthreaded thereto. Each suchcross piece is in dove-tailed relationship with one of the dovetails Cabove described. E indicate packing -members surrounding each pin E andherein shown as tapered to seat in corresponding tapered seats E formedin connection with the apertures E. E are coil springs compressedbetween the packings E and the cross pieces E The springs tend to holdthe packings firmly seated, thus maintaining a liquid proof closureabout each pin E This is important in case of rupture of the flexibletube, since the fluid is thereby prevented from penetrating the centralhousing B 'which is preferably filled with oil to lubricate sine wave.In order to prevent wear and rupture of the flexible tube C at its endsor points of connection, I provide a lesser travel of the pins E nearestthe top and bottom of the shaft D. This will be clear from the showingofthe structure in Figure 1. The parts are'so. proportioned and the pins Eof such length that the'sine wave crests travel in staggeredrelationship uni-directionally along the twotubes. As shown in Figure 1the crest of approach of one tube is 0pposite the crest of recession ofthe other.

. Referring tov the form of Figures 10 and 11, I illustrate a form oftube. the fixed wall C of which is provided with a plurality of suctioncups G 11 times the ec-- centric engages only the flat por ions E andprefa bevelled pinion D in mesh with any suitable which perform the samefunction as the reinforcement C in preventing the normally fixed wall Cfrom receding from the inner face of the members C C Referring to Figure12 I illustrate a form of tube in which both sides are dove-tailed as atG the dove-tailing being effective to secure the side C to the housingand to secure the opposite side to the cross-pieces E It will berealized that whereas I have described and shown a pratical andoperative device, nevertheless many changes might be made in the size,shape, number and disposition of parts without departing from the spiritof my invention. I therefore wish my description and showing to be takenas in a broad sense illustrative and diagrammatic rather than aslimiting me to my specific showing.

The use and operation of my invention are as follows:

Assume that two tubes are employed which communicate at one end throughthe passages A A with a common source of liquid and communicate at theother end through the passages A at A with a common outlet A As to each'individual stem or pair of stems E when it is in tube closing positionin relation to one tube, it will be in tube expanding position inrelation to the other, the movement of the two tubes being alwaysopposite at any given point. The number of stems and eccentrics is such,in relation to the length of the device, that there is always acontinuous closure in each tube. Referring for example to Figure 1 itwill be understood that when there are two wave crests of closure in onetube, there will be at least one wave crest of closure in the other.There will never be less than one or more than two such crests ofclosure in the form of pump as herein shown. I do not wish to beunderstood to be limited to a maximum of tube, as under somecircumstances I may wish to lengthen the device and provide a maximum ofmore than two. But it is essential that there should be a constantclosure in each tube, as the closure point or crest performs thefunction of the valve of a pump, and without it the pump will notfunction. Referring to Figure 1, the trapped liquid X of the left handtube exerts no pressure, and is merely trapped between wave crests. Thezone of pressure or of 125 effective application of force is alwaysbeyond the advance crest. In the opposite tube it is beyond the singlecrest illustrated. In the space between the two crests on the deliveryside of the pump the liquid is under pressure,- and directs backpressure against the walls of the tubes. This pressure is uniform, butits effective application is not. In the position of the parts shown inFigure 1 the effective application of pressure against the inclined wallshown at the left is not 135 as great as the effective application ofpressure against the horizontal wall shown at the right at the top ofthe tube. In one case it is directed against an inclined wall as at Yand in the other it is directed against a fully opened tube wall as atZ. Therefore, the left hand is borrowing hydrostatic pressure from theright hand side, tending to assist in keeping the wave of crest closed.Note that the terminal fingers at ,each end of the pump have a travelsomewhat less than that of the other fingers or cross pieces and do notcome fully to closed position. This is necessary to prevent undue strainupon and breakage of the ends of the tubes.

Note also that the shaft D and its bearings and- 150 the eccentrics E.and the connections between the eccentrics and the members E are allhoused within the central closed housingB. In case of suitable lubricantmay be maintained within the housing 13 and a further advantage of thehelical arrangement of the eccentrics rests in the fact that it may beemployed to raise 'an oil or lubricant within the interior chamber. The

lubricant will tend to ride up the central shaft and to flow down alongthe insideof the wall. An important advantage of the two tube type ofpump herein shown, or of the employment of an even number of tubes, isthe maintenance of hydrostatic balance, the delivery of an'even flow offluid.

It will be understood that although I have illustrated a two-tube typeof pump that I may employ a single tube or a multiplicity of tubes.

I claim:

1. In a pump, a pair of flexible walled chambers, and means formaintaining a uni-directional wave-like movementof approach andrecession of opposed chamber walls simultaneously along both chambers,with the crests of the waves moving longitudinally along said chambersin staggered relationship.

2. In a flexible tube'pump, a tube member having a flexible wall, andmeans 'for producing a wave-like movement of said flexible wall, withcrests of approach and recession, said means including a plurality ofstems movable along axes perpendicular to the general longitudinal axisof said tube, said stems being connected to said wall.

3. In a flexible tube pump, a tube member having a flexible wall, andmeans for producing a wave-like movement of said flexible wall, withcrests of approach and recession, said means including a plurality ofstems movable along axes perpendicular to the general longitudinal axisof said tube, said stems being connected to said wall, and actuatingmeans for said stems, including a shaft and a plurality of eccentricsthereon in operative connection with said stems.

4. In a flexible tube pump, a tube member having a flexible wall andmeans for producing a wave-like movement of said flexible wall, withcrests of approach and recession, said means including afplurality ofstems movable along axes perpendicular to the general longitudinal axisof said tube, said stems being connected to said (Ill wall, andactuating means for said stems, including a shaft and a plurality ofeccentrics there- 'on, said eccentrics being helically arranged alongsaid shaft, and being adapted to produce a true sine wave in the Wall.

5'. In a pump, a chamber, means for imparting to said flexible wall atrue .sine' wave movement havingcrests of recession a flexible wall, andv 7. In combination with a pump having a flexible walled passage, aflexible wall for said passage,.a driving shaft, a plurality ofeccentrics helically arranged about said driving shaft, actuating stemsin operative relationship with said eccentrics and adapted to bereciprocated there'by, means for constraining said stems to axialreciprocation, and an operative connection between each said stem and aflexible wall of said pum passage.

8. In combination with a pump having a plurality of passages, a flexiblewall for each said passage, a driving shaft, a plurality of eccentrics,helically arranged about said driving shaft, actuating stems inoperative relationship with said eccentrics and adapted tobereciprocated thereby, meansfor constraining said stems to axialreciprocation, and an operative. connection between each end of eachsaid stem and a flexible wall of one of saidpumppassages.

9. Ina pump, a passage member, a flexible wall therefor, and means forimparting to said flexible wall a true sine wave movement having crestsof therealong, in relation to an opposed passage -wal1, an inner pumphousing, and actuating means for imparting said sine wave, saidactuating means being positioned within the inner pump housing, andliquid-tight closure means interposed between the actuating means andthe flexible wall.

10. In a pump, a passage, a flexible wall therefor, an inner pumphousing, pump actuating means within said inner housing, liquid-tightclosure means interposed between the actuating meansand the flexiblewall, and actuating connections extending through said inner pumphousing and closure means, said connections being secured, externally ofsaid pump housing, to said flexible wall.

11. In a pump, a passage, a flexible wall therefor, an inner pumphousing, pump actuating means within said inner housing, actuating'stemsextending through'said inner pump housing, and liquid-tight packingmeans, about said stems, associated with said inner housing, the outerends of said stems being in actuating connection with the flexible wall.I

12. In a pump, a pump passage, a flexible wall therefor, and means -forconstraining said wall to a true sinewa'v'e movement having crests ofapproach and recession, said means including a shaft and means forrotating it, and connections between said shaft and the flexible walladapted to move the flexible wall toward and away from an opposed wallin accordance with said true sine wave movement. g

13. In a pump, a pump passage, a flexible wall therefor, and means forconstraining said wall to a truesine wave movement having crests ofapproach and recession.

14. In a pump, a pump passage, a flexible wall therefor, and means forconstraining said wall to a true sine wave movement having crests ofapproach and recession, said means including a plurality of drivingmembers, and means for ac tuating them, and dovetail connections betweensaid driving members and the flexible wall adapted to move the flexiblewall toward and away from an opposed wall of the pump passage.

15. In a pump, a pump passage, a flexible wall therefor, and an opposednormally fixed wall, and means for imparting a wave-like movement to theflexible wall, with crests of approach and recession movinguni-directionally along said flex- Mil ible wall, said means includingmeans for moving said flexible wall directly toward and away from theopposed normally fixed wall.

16. In a pump, a pump passage, a flexible wall 5 therefor, and means forimparting a wave-like movement to said wall, having crests of approachand recession traveling uni-directionally thereon,

